Game-scoring device



April 20 1926. 1,581,372 T. F. WILLIAMS GAME sconme DEVICE Filed June 11, 1925 EIEIE i WITNESSES: v I INI/ENTOR, flmn' mozwwww Hrm SELF, As ATTORNEY? Patented Apr. 20, 1926.

UNITE D, STATES P ATEIN O FF I C E THOMAS r wrnnmivrs. or new BETHLEHEM,- PEN SY VANIA.

GAME-SCORING DEVICE.

Application. filed June 11, 1925. Serial No. 36,542.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS F. VZILLIAr/Ls, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of. New Bethlehem, in the county of Clarion and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game ScoringDevices, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invent-ion relatesto improvements in devices designed for scoring or registering the progress of play and final results of games, as well as for tallying in the progress of many kinds of work such as surveying, engineering, taking inventories, recording income and expenditures and for keeping a tab on many other activitiessuch as an inspection of the constructional and operational features of the devi'cewill suggest.

. .lVhile the device is designed primarily for registering playin the game of golf,Iclaim for it a. rather peculiar adaptability for scoring base ball and tallying. in many other games.

I have incorporated into thedevice two additional instruments of usefulness to most every one-a lead pencil and. an eraser, these being complementary to the operation and usefulness of the mechanism.

\Vit-h the above ind-icatedi purposes in view, I have aimed toprovide a. simple, handy and almost universally useful device which shall be inexpensive to produce and which. may be conveniently carried on the person; the some consisting of certain novel features of construction and operation, as willbe hereinafter more fully described, and pointedout in the claims when. taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea.

In the drawing Figure 1 is an assembly view of the device;

Figure 2 is a view of the metal tube which houses the registering mechanism;

Figure 3 is a view of the spindle which when assembled into the device is positioned axially within the tube-like housing; in said Figure 3 this spindle is shown carrying certain circular discs which will hereinafter be described and termed spacing discs;

Figure 4 is an enlarged face view of one of the registering dials;

Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of one of the registering dials;

Figure 6 is an enlarged side view of one Figure 2 and; Figure 7, indicates a metal tube, or casing, housing the registering mechanisnrand carrying a pencil. at one end and-a rubber eraser at the other. The part 9 in Fig. 8 and on the end of tube 8 in. Figure 1', and which is shown carrying. the eraser 10, is separable from the tube 8 by means of a: female thread on it fitting a male thread 21 on the end of thetube, A portion: of the opposite end of tube 8 is reduced in diameter so that it will snugly fit I over a short piece of lead pencil 11 approximately as shown. This reduced portion of the tube has a relieving slot 12 to better accommodate lead pencils of slightly varying thicknesses. It will be seen from an inspection of Figures 1 and 2 that certain portions of tube 8 are cut away, permitting two rows of the dial idicia to be read; Also an inspection of the tube 8' shows certain tongue-like projections17 formed integrally with said tube, the number of these integral tongues or holding pawls corresponding to the number of indicia-carrying dials 16 positioned within the tube or housing.

The numeral 117 of the enlarged sectional view in Figure 'Z indicates the nibbed-down end of one of the integrally formed tongues 17 acting as a dog or pawl to engage into the slots 19 of the indicia-ca-rrying dials 16 and these holding tongues or pawls have a length and taper suflicientto permit the necessary degree of spring action that will allow the engaging end to raise out of the slots 19 as the dials are revolved forward. This same spring'action causes the engaging end of pawl 17 to drop into the next sl'otas the thirty degree are of revolution iscompleted. V

An inspection of Figure 5 and Figure 7 will clearly show why. the dials 16 cannot be revolved backwards when the engaging pawls 17 are in the slots 19 of dials.

The end portion of each holding tongue is nibbed down or bent'inwardly from. the are of the remaining portion in such manner as to lay flat on the back face of the slot and with the forward edge projecting against the forward radial face of the slot. The underside of this inwardly bent portion is in frictional contact with the correspondingly pitched back face of the slot. In revolving the dial forward, the cam-like action of the back face of slot causes the inward bent end of tongue to rise out of the slot and this raising of the pawl sets up a degree of spring tension in the arc-like portion of the holding tongue that forces the pawl down into the next slot as it comes into proper position, thus positively holding the dial against backward revolution and adequately preventing it from being revolved forward unintentionally.

To form the holding tongues 17 and their engaging ends, termed pawls, the intervening metal of the tube 8 is cut away for a distance around said tube equal to about onefifth'or one-sixth of its circumference, the necessary length of the'tongues so formed depending on thegauge of the metal composing the tube, and the spring-like properties inherent in it.

An inspection of the tube 8 in Figure 2, will show the integrally formed tongue-like dial holders 17 to be arranged in four groups. The left hand group is five in numher and is specifically designated by the letters in the word Total.

The next group of nine, immediately to the right of the aforementioned group,are individuallydesignated by reason of carrying numerals running consecutively from one to nine inclusive. This group of nine is also designated by the words First nine impressed, carved or etched on the outer surface of the tube 8 immediately below the corresponding group of nine recording dials. The'remaining two groups of holding pawls are respectively lettered and numbered like the two left hand groups, except that in the case of the group of nine the words Second nine are'impressed, carved or etched on the tube 8 below the corresponding group of nine recording dials.

Associated with these four groups of holding pawls 17, and revolvably mounted on a spindle 13 positioned axially within the tube 8, are four groups of indicia-carrying dials 16a dial associated with each individual pawl or vice-versa. A face View of one of the recording dials 16 is shown in Figure at, twice actual size. Also a side view is shown at 16 in Figure 5 of drawing. All these registering dials areexactly similar in size and form, and each one carries indiciav on the peripheral faces and running consecutively from O to 11 inclusive. The indicia are impressed. carved, or etched into the peripheral faces of the dials 16 as is clearly shown on the drawing in Figure 1 and Figure l.

Between these numerals, and uniformly spaced around the periphery of the recording dials 16 for every thirty degrees of arc, transverse slots 19 are cut across the face of said dials, and exactly parallel with the dial spindle or axis of the device. These slots 19 are twelve in numberone slot for each of the numerals carried on the dial. The forward faces of these slots are in a plane radial with the aXis of the device and are spaced around the circumference of the dials thirty degrees apart. As shall be alluded to later this particular spacing shall not constitute a limitation if spacing to a greater or lesser are be considered desirable and practical. The other face of the slots 19 is at an angle of about sixty degrees with the forward or radial face. Thus itis seen how the nibbed-down ends of the holding tongues 17 engage intothe slots 19 to hold the dials against backward revolution, while at the same time, due to a spring tension being set up against raising them, they offer sufficient resistance against forward revolution that the dials will not be moved unintentionally.

In the assembly View, Figure 1, all the dials of each group are shown in place and in engagement with their respective holding pawls. As is clearly shown in this assembly view, two rows of dial indicia are always in View of the operator. The upper row or that designated by the letter S on the casing is the row of present count, score, sum or total, depending of course on the specific nature of the recording being done. The second, or lower row of indicia is exposed to view primarily thru the necessity of operational space as will be evident from an inspection of the cross section View at Figure 7 and this second row of indicia is in view of the operator, secondarily, because an unobstructed view of it assists the operator in scoring more accurately by being able to refer back to the last count without obstruction to his vision. Continuing the inspection of this cross section view, Figure 7, it will be observed that the recor ing dials 16 are operated by engagement of the thumb or finger nail into the slot im- 'mediately below the last numeral recorded.

Firm pressure against the radial face of the slot causes the resistance of the corresponding holding pawl to be overcome, whence Y the dial 16 is revolved forward or toward the operator thru an arc of thirty degrees, or until the fingernail strikes the edge of the casing or tube 8 at the new position of that particular slot. This operation brings the next numeral into View and the holding pawl drops into the next slot to hold the dial in the new position.

The two left hand groups of dials constitute a complete recording set, and the two right hand groups constitute the other set.

Separating these four groups of dials and flanking the extreme ends of the two end.

groups are five spacing discs shown at their proper POSltlOl'lS on spindle 13 m Figure 3' ing discs are of the same thickness as the recording dials and are indicated by the numeral 14 while the one at the extreme left hand end of the spindle and indicated" by the numeral 15 is thinner. These spacing discs are of the same general shape as the dials and are, with the exception of the thin one designated 15 free to revolve on the spindle 13 just as are the recording dials 16 free on the spindle. Disc 15 is rigidly attached to the spindle, the reason for which willappear later.

The over-all diameter of these spacing discs is very slightly greater than that of the dials. The purpose of this slightly greater over-all diameter mm make them lit a little closer into the inside diameter of the tube or housing 8, thus acting as a more perfect centering support for the spindle 13. When the whole recording unit is assembled within the tube 8, these spacing discs take respective positions within the uncut portions of the housing. Referring to these uncut portions of the-tube 8, and which may be designatedby the letter Sin Figures 1 and 2, the three intervening port-ions are exactly as wide as the spacing discs that take position behind them. The uncut portions near the ends of the casing are of course wider than the discs that are respectively positioned behind them. These uncut portions of the housing act as'stifienersand resist the tendency to distortion in the true roundness of it, while at the same time hold the spindle13 in truer axial position thru the medium of the spacing discs. 7 I

Spacing disc 15 is made thinner, primarily, to reduce the over-all length of the device and permit a less abrupt contour in reducing the tube diameter immediately to the left of it. Disc 15 is rigidly attached to the spindle 13, both as regards endway movement thereon and revolution. This is for the obvious purpose of facilitating the assembling and disassembling of the recording unit. The slightly greater over all diameter of the spacing discs is compensated for by cutting the slots in them correspondingly deeper. This permits-them to slide into thetube along with the dials and pass the intervening holding pawls. lVhen the whole recording unit is slid into the housing 8 to the point Where the four groups of dials register with the corresponding face openings of said housing, andthe individual dials register withtheir respective holding pawls, the thin, fixed, spacing disc Will then have come up'a'gainst a stop or buffer, properly located forthe purpose; the three intermediate spacing discs will be exactly within the intermedlate uncut portionsof the housing, and the disc at the extreme right will exactly flank the right hand face opening. When the cap 9 is screwed entirely on the threaded end of hQusing S', a suitably shaped and disposed stop within the cap will just come in contact with the right hand side of this end disc and against the right hand end of the spindle 13, thus holding the whole recording assembly in properly spaced: relation to the enclosing tube and the integrally formed holding pawls 17' as is shown in the assembly'view, Figure 1', of the drawing- In sliding the recording unit into the housing 8, it is of course evident that one of the slots, in each spacing'disc and recording dial, must register -with the 'nibbed-down ends ofthe holding pawls. Once in place, the recording unit need not be removed unless some part be broken.

In the game of golf, a standard course has either nine or eighteen holes, and usually eighteen holes played is called a game: that is, two rounds of a nine-hole course or one round of an eighteen-hole course. Playing an eighteen-hole course, the first nine holes is termed going out, and the last nine, coming in. sembly View, Figure 1, of my invention will disclose two groups of nine registering dials and two groups of five dials for recording totals. Opponents playing a nine-hole course would be each assigned one of the nine-dial groups and the respective group for totals. All dials are set at 0, or zero, beforeplay is started. As play progresses each stroke of the opponents is recorded on the dial of his group corresponding to the number of the hole being played, and each stroke should be recorded as soon as possible after it is made. i I

The ease and ineonspicuousness with which immediate scoring can be done is one of the greatest advantages I claim for the device. Intentional and unintentional errors so often made in reporting strokes after completing a hole would thus be greatly lessened. With the truest sportsman, memory is not infallible, especially when perturbedv by the exigencies of many situations in golf.

As the game progresses over the nine-hole course, the total for each opponent may be kept up to the play, or' may be left until the first nine holes are completed. Starting again on the second round of the nine-hole course, all theindividual hole-recording dials in the nine-dial groups are again set to zero, while the totals for the first nine holes are retained on the dials of the respectivetotals groups. If the totals for the first and second halves are to be individual- An inspection of the asly kept, then score those for the first nine on the two left hand dials of the respective totals groups, and those for the second nine onthe two right hand dials of said groups. Thus, at any point in the game as well as at the completion of each nine holes a complete and accurate record is at hand.

hen one players score is being recorded, the device is capable of scoringhim for the full eighteen holes without resetting the holes-recording dials at the turning point.

Scoring two opponents or two partners around an eighteen hole course, it is of coursenecessary to take off the individual holes records at the turning point, but the totals for each half of-the eighten holes may be retained.

The capabilities of the device are such that the vital data from most any combination of play may be registered and retained until such a point comes in the progress of play that it can be transcribedto an ordinary score card or other permanent'record.

To score the essentials of a standard nine inning game of base ball, each team is allotted a nine dial group and the respective totals group. The runs of each inning are registered on the dial numbered to correspond with that inning, the total scores may be registered on the nearest two dials of the totals groups and the status of the batter on the farthest two of these totals groups.

The player at cards and many other games as well as thespectator of many kinds of sport contests can register on this device most of the essential points that he later will wish to refer to.

Of the fitness of the device for tallying repetitions of operations in many classes of work, recording quantities-of materials employed and various other uses such as the constructional and operational features of the device will suggest, is not herein elaborated upon.

Nothing in this specification, the drawing or the claims shall be construed as limiting the number of numerals and corresponding slots carried by the dials employed in this device. Twelve numerals and twelve slots for each dial are shown on the drawing only because a neat and. practical size of the de. vice seems to admit of that many and the purposes for which it is designed are quite adequately met by that number.

Neither shall anything in the specification, the drawings or the claims be construed as limiting me in the character of materials employed in its construction.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination, in a game scoring device, of a tubular housing 8 having four face openings, four groups of integrally formed holding pawls projecting therein, four groups of indicia-carrying dials revolvable on a spindle 13 and individually associated with andengaged by a holding pawl of the respective group thru the medium of suitably formed slots 19 cut across the peripheral faces of dials, substantially as shown and described.

Y 2. The combination, in a game scoring device, of a tubular housing 8 having four face openings and integrally formed holding pawls 17 projecting into said openings, said holding tongues having their end portions-17 nibbed down or bent inwardly at such a degree as to lay on the back face of the slots in the revolvable dials and to project their forward edges against the forward radial face of said dial slots, four groups of indic-ia-carrying dials revolvably mounted on a spindle 13, positioned axially within said tubular housing, uniformly spaced and suitably shaped slots cut across the peripheral faces of said dials to form a holding engagement in them for the holding pawls said pawls having their ends nibbed down at such a'degree as to layon theback face of the slots in the revolvable dials and 'toproject their forward edges against the forward radial face of said dial slots, whereby forward revolution by pressure of a finger nail is permitted but backward revolution is prevented, spacing discs so disposed on spindle 13 as to separate and flank the groups of dials, serve as centering supports for the spindle within the tubular housing and by virtueof the thin one at extreme left being fixed to spindle, supply the necessary means of entering or removing the whole recording assembly in unit, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a game scoring device, of a tubular housing 8 having four face openings and groups of integrally formed holding pawls 17 projecting into said openings, said holding tongues having their end portions 17 nibbed down or bent inwardly at such a degree as to lay on the back face of the slots in the revolvable dials and to project their forward edges against the forward radial face of said dial slots, four groups of indicia-carrying dials revolvably mounted on a spindle 13 positioned axially within said tubular housing, uniformly spaced and suitably shaped slots cut across the peripheral faces of said dials to form a holding engagement in them for the holding pawls said pawls having their ends nibbed down at such acdegree as to lay on the back face of the slots in the revolvable dials and to project their forward edges against the forward radial face of said dial slots, whereby 'forward revolution by pressure of the finger nail is accomplished but backward revolution is prevented, five spacing discs so disposed on the spindle 13, and the left hand one fixed, as to separate and flank the groups of dials, serve as centering supports for said spindle Within the tubular housing and supply the necessary means of entering or removing the Whole recording unit together, a threaded cap 9 having engagement to the right hand end of tube 8 and incorporating a suitably formed stop, so disposed, that When said cap 9 is threaded entirely on,the I said stop Will lightly contact With end of spindle 13 and side of right hand disc sub- 10 stantially as and for the purpose described. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

THOMAS F. WILLIAMS. 

